Caryopteris plant named ‘Gold Giant’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Caryopteris  named ‘GOLD GIANT’ that is characterized by strong upright habit, mid-deep blue flowers, and bright golden yellow foliage throughout the season. In combination these traits set ‘GOLD GIANT’ apart from all other existing varieties of  Caryopteris  known to the inventor.

Genus: Caryopteris.

Species: ×clandonensis.

Denomination: ‘GOLD GIANT’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e)of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/269,884 filed on Jul. 1, 2009,entitled Caryopteris Plant Named ‘GOLD GIANT’.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofCaryopteris, also known as blue-mist or bluebeard, which is grown as anornamental shrub for use in the garden and landscape. The new inventionfrom the family Verbenaceae is known botanically asCaryopteris×clandonensis and will be referred to hereinafter by thecultivar name ‘GOLD GIANT’.

‘GOLD GIANT’ resulted from a long term breeding program within the genusCaryopteris which the inventor commenced in 1990 and carried out at theinventor's nursery in Hampshire, United Kingdom. ‘GOLD GIANT’ is aseedling selection derived from the deliberate open cross-pollination ofthe seed parent, an individual Caryopteris clandonensis ‘Worcester Gold’(unpatented) and the pollen parent, an individual Caryopterisclandonensis ‘Worcester Gold’ (unpatented).

To initiate the breeding process the inventor isolated container-grownplants of Caryopteris ‘Worcester Gold’ on a nursery bench which wasisolated from all other Caryopteris in the nursery. Following successfulcross-pollination the resulting seed was collected by the inventor andsown in the autumn of 2000, with the intention of producing newseedlings with desired traits. The inventor selected ‘GOLD GIANT’ in2004 based on the criteria of vigor, habit, and foliage color.

The distinguishing traits of ‘GOLD GIANT’ are strong upright habit,profusions of mid-deep blue flowers from early summer through fall, andbright golden yellow foliage throughout the season, with darkcontrasting stems. ‘GOLD GIANT’ is vigorous, growing to 60 cm. in heightand 76 cm. in width during the first year, reaching 90 cm-110 cm. inheight and 90 cm-110 cm. in width at maturity. Cultural requirementsinclude full sun, well-draining soil and minimal to moderate water.‘GOLD GIANT’ is hardy to USDA Zone 6. Once established, ‘GOLD GIANT’ isdrought tolerant and heat tolerant.

The closest comparison plant known to the inventor is Caryopteris‘Worcester Gold’. The comparison plant exhibits pale summer foliage,wispy open habit, and narrow leaves. The new Caryopteris variety ‘GOLDGIANT’ is distinguishable from the comparison plant by strong uprighthabit, broad leaves, and bright golden yellow foliage that remains sothroughout the season without fading.

‘GOLD GIANT’ was first asexually reproduced by the inventor in Greatham,Hampshire, United Kingdom, in 2005. Asexual propagation was accomplishedusing semi-ripe stem cuttings. Since that time under carefulobservation, the distinguishing characteristics of ‘GOLD GIANT’ havebeen determined stable and uniform, and to reproduce true to type insuccessive generations of asexual propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The distinguishing characteristics of the new Caryopteris cultivar named‘GOLD GIANT’ are as follows. In combination these traits set ‘GOLDGIANT’ apart from all other existing varieties of Caryopteris known tothe inventor. ‘GOLD GIANT’ has not been tested under all possibleconditions, and phenotypic differences may be observed with variationsin environmental, climatic, and cultural conditions without however anyvariance in genotype.

-   -   1. ‘GOLD GIANT’ exhibits strong upright habit.    -   2. The stems of ‘GOLD GIANT’ are dark brown to black in color.    -   3. The foliage of ‘GOLD GIANT’ is bright golden yellow.    -   4. The golden yellow color of the foliage of ‘GOLD GIANT’        persists through the summer and into fall without fading.    -   5. The leaves of ‘GOLD GIANT’ are irregularly toothed.    -   6. The flowers of ‘GOLD GIANT’ are mid-deep blue in color.    -   7. At maturity, a plant of ‘GOLD GIANT’ achieves a height in the        range of 90 cm -110 cm. and a spread in the range of 90 cm-110        cm.    -   8. ‘GOLD GIANT’ is hardy to USDA Zone 6.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color drawings illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Caryopteris cultivar named ‘GOLD GIANT’ showing the color of itsfoliage and flowers as true as is reasonably possible to obtain in colorreproductions of this type.

Color in the drawings may differ from color values cited in the detailedbotanical description, which accurately describe the actual color of thenew variety ‘GOLD GIANT’.

The drawing labeled as FIG. 1 depicts an overhead view of a one-year-oldplant of ‘GOLD GIANT’ growing in a 1-liter container out-of-doors inHampshire, United Kingdom.

The drawing labeled as FIG. 2 depicts a close-up view of the flower budsand flowers of a planting of ‘GOLD GIANT’ in the ground in Hampshire,United Kingdom.

Drawings were made using conventional techniques and although flower andfoliage color may appear different from actual color due to lightreflectance, they are as accurate as possible by conventionalphotography.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new Caryopteriscultivar named ‘GOLD GIANT’. Observations, measurements, values andcomparisons were collected in April from a 6-month-old 1-liter containerplant growing out-of-doors in Arroyo Grande, Calif. Color determinationsare made in accordance with The 2001 Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart from London, England, except where general color terms of ordinarydictionary significance are used. The growing requirements of the newvariety ‘GOLD GIANT’ are similar to the species.

-   Botanical classification: Caryopteris×clandonensis ‘GOLD GIANT’.-   Family: Verbenaceae.-   Genus: Caryopteris.-   Species: ×clandonensis.-   Denomination: ‘GOLD GIANT’.-   Common name: Blue-mist or bluebeard.-   Habit: Strong upright.-   Commercial category: Ornamental shrub.-   Use: Suitable for pots & containers, garden border, and modern    landscape.-   Suggested commercial container size: 1-liter container and larger.-   Parentage: The new variety Caryopteris×clandonensis ‘GOLD GIANT’ is    a seedling selection derived from the deliberate open    cross-pollination of the seed parent an individual Caryopteris    clandonensis ‘Worcester Gold’ and the pollen parent an individual    Caryopteris clandonensis ‘Worcester Gold’.-   Propagation method: Semi-ripe stem cuttings-   Rooting system: Fine.-   Vigor: Vigorous.-   Time to produce a 10 cm. container (range): 8-12 weeks from a 128    cell transplant.-   Time to produce a 1-liter container (range): 12-16 weeks from a 128    cell transplant.-   Dimensions first year (average): 60 cm. in height and 76 cm. in    width.-   Mature dimensions (average): 90 cm-110 cm. in height and 90    cm-110 cm. in width.-   Cultural requirements: Performs best in full sun, with well-draining    soil, and minimal to moderate water.-   Disease and pest susceptibility: Susceptible to spider mites.-   Disease and pest resistance: None known to the inventor.-   Hardiness: USDA Zone 6.-   Special considerations: Drought tolerant and heat tolerant once    established. Cut back hard in spring to ensure good branch    structure.-   Stem:    -   -   Branching habit.—Basal and lateral branching.        -   Lateral branch quantity (range).—20-25 per 1-liter container            plant.        -   Shape.—Obcylindric.        -   Surface.—Pubescent.        -   Color of mature stems.—N200A.        -   Color of new growth stems.—145C.        -   Stem length (average).—6 cm.        -   Stem diameter (average).—3 mm.        -   Stem strength.—Flexible.        -   Internode (average).—2 cm.        -   Stem fragrance.—Aromatic.-   Foliage:    -   -   Type.—Deciduous.        -   Leaf arrangement.—Opposite.        -   Leaf division.—Simple.        -   Leaf quantity (average).—26 per lateral stem.        -   Leaf margin (range).—Irregularly toothed to crenate.        -   Leaf surface (abaxial).—Pubescent.        -   Leaf surface (adaxial).—Puberulent.        -   Leaf texture.—Velvety.        -   Leaf shape (range).—Lanceolate to ovate.        -   Leaf length (range).—3.80 cm-5 cm.        -   Leaf width (range).—3.10 cm-4 cm.        -   Leaf color (abaxial surface).—147C.        -   Leaf color (adaxial surface).—Ranges between 153A and 153D.        -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate.        -   Vein color (abaxial surface).—145C.        -   Vein color (adaxial surface).—146C.        -   Leaf apex (range).—Subacute to rounded.        -   Leaf base (range).—Rounded to truncate.        -   Attachment.—Petiolate.        -   Petiole surface.—Pubescent.        -   Petiole shape.—Sulcate.        -   Petiole color.—145C.        -   Petiole dimensions (average).—1 cm. in length and 1 mm. in            diameter.        -   Durability of foliage to stress.—Moderate.        -   Stipules.—Present.        -   Stipule surface.—Pubescent.        -   Stipule color.—145C.        -   Stipule dimensions.—<1 mm. in height and width.        -   Stipule shape.—Ovate.        -   Leaf fragrance.—Aromatic.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Type.—Axial cyme.        -   Inflorescence quantity (average).—>25 per 1-liter container            plant?        -   Inflorescence dimensions (average).—1.50 cm. in height and            2.5 cm in width.        -   Rate of opening.—40% of inflorescence opens in 10 days.        -   Blooming months.—June through October.        -   Flower quantity (range).—10-12 per inflorescence.        -   Flower dimensions.—1.15 cm. in depth and 0.50 cm. in            diameter.        -   Flower aspect.—Upright to outward.        -   Persistent or self-cleaning.—Self-cleaning.        -   Peduncle shape.—Cylindric.        -   Peduncle surface.—Densely pubescent.        -   Peduncle strength.—Moderate.        -   Peduncle color.—145C.        -   Peduncle dimensions (average).—1 cm. in length and <1 mm. in            diameter.        -   Pedicel dimensions.—2 mm. in length and <1 mm. in diameter.        -   Pedicel color.—145C.        -   Pedicel strength.—Moderate.        -   Bud quantity (range).—10-12 per inflorescence.        -   Bud shape.—Globular.        -   Bud apex.—Obtuse.        -   Bud color.—91B.        -   Bud surface.—Lanate.        -   Bud dimensions.—3 mm. in length and 3 mm. in diameter.        -   Corolla shape.—Bilabiate.        -   Corolla dimensions.—1.15 cm. in depth and 0.50 cm. in            diameter.        -   Corolla longevity on plant (average).—12 days.        -   Corolla tube dimensions.—6 mm. in length and 2 mm. in width.        -   Corolla tube color (range).—91B-91C.        -   Corolla lobe.—5 in number.        -   Corolla lobe color (ventral surface).—92D.        -   Corolla lobe color (dorsal surface).—92A.        -   Corolla lobe surface (ventral and dorsal).—Pubescent.        -   Corolla lobe length (range).—3-6 mm.        -   Corolla lobe width (range).—2-3 mm.        -   Corolla lobes fused or unfused.—Basally fused.        -   Corolla lobe margin (range).—Entire to fimbriate.        -   Corolla lobe shape (range).—Concave to spreading.        -   Corolla lobe apex (range).—Acute to truncate.        -   Calyx shape.—Deeply lobed.        -   Calyx color.—146B.        -   Calyx dimensions.—0.40 cm. in length and 3 mm. in width.        -   Sepals.—5 in number.        -   Sepal shape.—Narrow elliptic.        -   Sepal dimensions.—3 mm. in length and <1 mm. in width.        -   Sepals fused or unfused.—Basally fused.        -   Sepal color (ventral and dorsal surface).—146B.        -   Sepal margin.—Entire.        -   Sepal apex.—Acute.        -   Sepal surface (abaxial and adaxial).—Lanate.        -   Inflorescence fragrance.—Aromatic.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamen quantity.—4 in number.        -   Stamen length.—10 mm, exserted.        -   Stamen color.—92B.        -   Anther color.—N138A.        -   Anther length.—<1 mm.        -   Pollen.—Slight amount, color: 95A.        -   Pistil quantity.—1 in number.        -   Pistil length.—14 mm.        -   Pistil color.—93C.        -   Stigma shape.—Bifid.        -   Stigma color.—93C.        -   Stigma diameter.—3 mm.        -   Ovary position.—Superior.        -   Ovary color.—146C.        -   Ovary dimensions.—<1 mm in height and <1 mm. in width.        -   Ovary shape.—Globular.        -   Ovary surface.—Glabrous.

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Caryopteris plant named ‘GOLD GIANT’as described and illustrated herein.